Motor-vehicle.



Patented Dec. 3|, l90l.

W. J. & G. LANE.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

(Application filed Fab. 2]., 1901.)

2 Sheets-Shaet I.

(No Model.)

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No. 6%,!59. Patented Dec. 3|, [90L W. J. & G. LANE.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

(Application filed Feb. 21, 1901.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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UllED STATES Force.

PATEN WILLIAM JAMES LANE AND GEORGE LANE, OF POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK,

ASSIGNORS TO THE LANE OF NEWV JERSEY.

MOTOR VEHICLE COMPANY, A CORPORATION MOTOR-VEHICLE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N 0. 690,159, dated December 31, 1901. Application filed February 21,1901. Serial No. 48,328. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM JAMES LANE and GEORGE LANE, citizens of the United States, residing at Poughkeepsie, county of Dutchess, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin M0- -tor-Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to motor-vehicles of the type adapted to be operated by steam.

Our invention consists in various details of construction of the steam=generating apparatus and its attachments. The object of our invention is to simplify the construction of the steam-generating apparatus and its attachments as used on motor-vehicles; further, to provide a system of piping and connections by reason of which a uniform water-level may be maintained in the boiler, and also provide for the flexibility of the general piping system employed, whereby a change in the relation of the motor device to the Vehicle-body may take place without disturbing such pipe connections.

Various other objects are attained, all of which will be referred to in describing the several parts of our improved construction.

The accompanying drawings will serve to illustrate our invention, in which- Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section through the body of a motor-vehicle and the water-tank, also showing the boiler and es cape dues in partial section and the pipe system and motordevice in elevation. Fig. 2 is a'plan view with a portion of the hood through which the products of combustion escape in section.

In the drawings the parts are shown in the location which we prefer they should occupy in a two-seated vehicle of the surrey type. We wish it understood, however, that the specific relation of the various parts to each other shown may be changed or modified to accommodate such parts to different types of vehicles.

10 indicates the body of the vehicle, and 11 and 12 positions usually occupied by the front and rear seats. Suspended below the body of the vehicle is a steam-engine 13 or other form of motor adapted to be operated by steam.

The motor is suspended upon the pivoted links 14 and 15.

16 indicates an adjustable distance-rod by means of which the position of the engine relative to the body of the vehicle may be altered at will for the purpose of tightening or loosening the sprocket-chain 17.

18 is a boiler, which in the present case is of the vertical-tube type. Arranged below the boiler is a burner 19. Located over the boiler is a horizontal flue 20, which connects with a vertical tube 21, open at the upper end 22, above and at the rear of the vehicle-seat, and at the lower end 23, which is situated below the body of the vehicle. We do not limit ourselves in any wise to the distance which the tube 21 shall project below the body of the vehicle. Situated over the opening 22 of the tube 21 is a removable hood 24, having side openings 25. The products of combustion from the boiler when the vehicle is at rest, owing to their light specific gravity, will pass out through the upper opening 22 of tube 21 and hood 24. When the vehicle is in motion, they will pass out through the bottom opening 23 of tube 21, together with the exhaust-steam fromthe engine, as will hereinafter be described.

The boiler 18 is supported in the vehicleframe by lugs 26, projecting from the sides of the boiler and which rest upon the horizontally-disposed metallic frames or straps 27, secured to the side frames of the vehicle. Any other means may be employed for supporting the boiler. We prefer that shown, however, as the boiler may be readily lifted off of its supports and removed for inspection or repair.

28 indicates a water-tank; 29, a live-steam pipe from boiler to steam-chest 30 on engine; 31, a steam throttle-valve.

32 is a starting-lever pivoted to the vehicle-frame at 33. Pivotally connected to the short arm 34 of this lever is a long link 35,

which is pivotally connected at its lower end 5 IOO site end of the rod 37 has secured to it a lever 39, to which is pivoted the head of the By changing the position of the starting lever 32 the throttle-valve can be opened and closed, and by changing the position of the reversing-lever 41 the position of the link within the engine-casing can be altered, so as to change the direction of movement of the engine. We make use of the long links 35 and 43 in order to maintain the relation of the starting and reversing levers to the engine when the relation of the engine to the body of the vehicle is altered for tightening or loosening the sprocket-chain 17.

46 indicates two pipes, preferably flexible pipes, leading from the exhaust of the engine and discharging in the water-tank 28 at 47.

48 indicates pipe leading from the upper part of the water-tank downward and backward and discharging into the vertical tube 21.

By means of the pipe-circuit, as described, the exhaust from the engine will be carried to and discharged into the water-tank. The heat from such exhaust-steam will heat the water in the tank and primarily be condensed by the cold water. .After the water is heated the surplus steam which is not condensed will be delivered by. the pipe 48 into the vertical flue 21. The passage of steam through the tube 21 acts in the manner of a blower to create a downdraft in the tube 21, and thus aid in carrying off the products of combustion from the boiler.

The pipe-circuit through which the Water may be introduced into the boiler from the tank is as follows: Located in the bottom of the tank is a strainer 49, which communicates with a pipe 50, preferably a flexible pipe, which leads to a pump 51, located within the engine-casingand constantly operated. Leading from the pump is a pipe 52, which is bent upon itself to provide flexibility, as shown in the plan, and discharges into the boiler,

through the pipe 53. 54 indicates check- Valves in the pipes 50, 52, and 53. Connected to the pipe 52 is a pipe 55,which leads to the front of the vehicle and communicates with the outletofthe auxiliary hand-pump 56. Connected to theinlet of the auxiliary pump 56 is a pipe 57, which communicates through a pipe 58 with the strainer 49 in the bottom of the watertank. 59 is a hand-valve in the pipes 55 and 58. Ordinarily the water circulation is from the tank through pipe 50 to pump 51, pipe 52, and pipe 53 to the boiler. If the operator of the vehicle desires to limit the amount of water pumped to the boiler, the valve 59 is opened, which allows the water to follow a return-circuit around the boiler by pipe 55 and and pipe 58 back to water-tank. Should the pump 51 by any means be disabled or if it is desired to pump up the boiler before starting the vehicle, the pump 56 may be operated, when the circuit will be from water-tank 28 by pipe 58 to pump 56, pipe 55 to pipe 53, and be discharged in the boiler.

Located upon the opposite side of the-engine and within the casing is an air-pump, constantly operated and which delivers air through the pipe 60 to an air and naphtha tank (not shown) and thence to an air-gage 61. Te have not shown in this application the construction of this air-pump or its relation to the naphtha and air tank, as the sameforms no part of our present invention and has been made the subject of a separate application.

In order to provide for a maximum waterlevel within the boiler, we arrange a pipe system as follows: Connected to the boiler at a definite pointfor instance, as shown in Fig. 1is a pipe 62, which is carried forward and connected to the steam-gage 63. of the steam-gage is a transverse pipe 64, which is carried backward and discharges into the live-steam pipe 29 between the throttle valve 31 and the boiler. The operation of this pipe-circuit will be readily understood. Should the water rise to the opening of the pipe 62, water will flow through this pipe to steam-gage 63, thence by pipe 64 to live-steam pipe 29, thence by live-steam pipe through cylinders of engine, and by exhaust-pipes 46 to water-tank. Theoretically, the transmission of such highly-heated water through the engine-cylinders would entail a loss, but practically we have found that the loss is so small as to be negligible and of no importance as compared with the advantages obtained in maintaining a uniform water-level. It will be understood that by reason of this pipe system an ignorant operator cannot introduce too much water into the boiler and the dangers arising from so doing may thus be avoided.

Having thus described our invention, we claim-- 1. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a water-tank located at the front portion of the vehicle, a boiler located at the rear of the vehicle, and a steam-motor device situated between the water-tank and boiler wholly below, and with its axis at an angle to, the body of the vehicle.

2. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a water-tank located under the front seat of the vehicle, a boiler located under the back seat of the vehicle, a steam-motor device having an angular inclination and located below the vehicle-body and between the front and back seats.

3. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a water-tank, located at the front of the vehicle, a boiler located at the back of the vehicle, a steam-motor device situated between said water-tank and boiler and wholly below Just back the body of the vehicle, and a flue for the products of combustion located behind, and discharging into the atmosphere at the rear of, the boiler.

4. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a water-tank located at the front of the vehicle, a boiler located at the back of the vehicle, a steam-motor device located between said water-tank and boiler, and wholly below the body of the vehicle.

5. In a motor-vehiole, the combination of a Water-tank located at the front of the vehicle, a boiler located at the back of the vehicle, a horizontal flue over the boiler, provided with upward and downward discharge openings for the products of combustion, and a pipe leading from the water-tank to said horizontal flue.

6. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a water-tank located at the front of the vehicle, a boiler located at the rear of the vehicle, a horizontal flue over the boiler communicating with the atmosphere,and a pipe leading from the water-tank and discharging into said horizontal flue.

7. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a motor adjustable relative to the vehicle-body, levers occupying a fixed position for manually controlling the operation of said motor, and mechanism introduced between said motor and said levers which will compensate for the change in position of the motor relative to the vehicle-body.

8. In a motor-vehicle, the combination with a motor adjustable relative to the vehiclebody, a starting-lever, a reversing-lever, and

a series of links and levers between said startin g and reversing levers and the motor,whereby the position of the motor relative to the vehicle-body may be altered without changing the operative relation of the starting and reversing levers to the motor.

9. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a water-tank, a steam-boiler, a steam-motor device adjustable relative to the vehicle, and flexible connections between said parts.

10. In a motor-vehicle, the combination of a boiler, a horizontal flue over said boiler, a vertical flue into which said horizontal flue discharges, and a removable hood having lat-- WILLIAM JAMES LANE. GEORGE LANE.

Witnesses:

SILAs LANE, J. M. J ONES. 

